HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1916, Page 3

HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Zealand. Holstein-Friesian Association was held on Wednesday at Palmerston North, Mr. W. I. Lovelock presiding. The council reported a very successful year, one that could be regarded as a record. There had been a great deal o: uncertainty as to how the war would affect business, but the great demand for produce' quickly restored confidence, and sales of Ilolsteiii-Friesians proved more successful than ever, the averages obtained clearly showing the increasing popularity of the breed. No less than 82 new members had joined, making the total membership 330. Financially, also, substantial progress had been made. The second year book had been issued and gave cause for much congratulation among the admirers of the black and white. In all cases the required standard was passed, and the association was anxious that the standard should be raised. A further gratifying fact was that Holstein-Friesians held the records for all ages for the last testing season. The hearty thanks of the Association were extended to the dairy division of the Agricultural Department for the

kindly interest and assistance of its officers in carrying out the semi-official testing, which was proving of the utmost benefit to the dairy industry. The balance-sheet showed receipts to have been £782 10s Bd, and expenditure £534 15s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £248 4s 4d. The'assets were £IS-I9 4s Gel, and the liabilities nil. The report was* adopted without discussion.

Officers were elected as follows: 'President, Mr. J. H. Parkinson (Opotiki); vice-presidents, E. V. Banks (Mnta Mata) and C. C. Bnckland (Cambridge); treasurer, J. Liggins (Tokomaru); auditor, P. L. Simm; council, G. Aitchisou (Kaitangata), Newton King (New Plymouth), A. J. Gallichan (Palmerstoii North), W I. Lovelock (Palmerston North), F. H. Leonard (Auckland), A. H. Street (Bell Block) ;'Taranaki district committee, Newton King, A. H. Street, 'H, Johnson, W. James, G. W. Marchant, W. R. Wright. j In returning thanks for his election

the new president urged that breeders should do all in their power to advance the breed by testing.

A QUESTION OF TEST. Mr. Auckland brought up the question of testing in connection v.'itli cheese. He pointed out that the butter-fat test was not a fair method to adopt; it was right enough for butter, but cheese depended on the total soljds. He pointed out that 5001b of milk at a 5.4 test was paid on the basis of 271b of fat, and produced aS'/Ub of cheese, whereas 5001b of milk at 2.8 test was only paid for 131b of fat, yet it produced 4G</ 2 lb of cheese. This was decidedly unfair, and some better system of testing should be evolved. The higher test was of advantage in the whey butter. In Canada they overcame the difficulty by adding the numeral 2 to every test, which brought" it very near the proportionate money value. GEXERAk It was decided to pay subscriptions of members who have gone to the front, and also to supply them with herd books.

Mr. A. Logan (Maketoku) donated a cup valued at £lO to be awarded to the cow securing the highest semiofficial test for two years.